Does motor training of the nonparetic side influences balance and function in chronic stroke? A pilot RCT

Abstract

Background: Balance and functional abilities are controlled by both sides of the body. The role of nonparetic side has never been explored for such skills.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of a motor therapy program primarily involving the nonparetic side on balance and function in chronic stroke.

Method: A randomized controlled, double blinded trial was conducted on 39 poststroke hemiparetic subjects (21, men; mean age, 42 years; mean poststroke duration, 13 months). They were randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 20) and control group (n = 19). The participants received either motor therapy focusing on the nonparetic side along with the conventional program or conventional program alone for 8 weeks (3 session/week, 60 minutes each). The balance ability was assessed using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Functional Reach Test (FRT) while the functional performance was measured by Barthel Index (BI).

Result: After intervention, the experimental group exhibited significant (P < 0.05) change on BBS (5.65 versus 2.52) and BI (12.75 versus 2.16) scores in comparison to the control group.

Conclusion: The motor therapy program incorporating the nonparetic side along with the affected side was found to be effective in enhancing balance and function in stroke.

Figure 1

Consort diagram showing the flow of participants during the study.

Figure 2

(a) and (b) show changes in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Barthel Index (BI) scores, respectively (mean) between the groups at pre- and postassessment; dark grey bar (experimental group), light grey bar (control group). Significant improvements (increase in BBS and BI scores) were noted for both the measures at postintervention.